5 Best RV Campground Memberships to Save Money

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Published December 5, 2018 | Last updated July 22, 2026

The best RV campground membership is not the one with the biggest discount. It is the one that fits the way you actually camp.

That is the mistake I see people make all the time. They join three, four, or five memberships because each one sounds like a great deal. Then most of them sit unused.

Susan and I have used a lot of RV memberships over the years. Our camping style has also changed. We started as weekend campers, then traveled for longer stretches, and now spend a large part of the year on the road.

Today, the two memberships we use most are Thousand Trails and RV Trip Wizard. But that does not mean they are the right answer for every RVer.

In this article, I will break down the five memberships we think are most useful, who each one is best for, and when it probably is not worth buying.

Our 5 Best RV Camping Memberships

1. Thousand Trails — best for very frequent campers
2. Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome — best for overnight travel stops
3. Passport America — best for flexible weekday campers
4. KOA Rewards — best for campers who regularly stay at KOAs
5. RV Trip Wizard — best for planning safer, easier RV trips

RV Trip Wizard is not technically a campground discount membership. I am including it anyway because we use it to plan every trip, and it helps us use all of our other memberships more effectively.

Do Not Buy Every RV Membership

This is the most important advice in the article.

Do not buy every membership just because each one promises savings. Start with how you camp.

• Do you camp nearly every weekend or travel for months at a time?
• Do you mostly need one-night stops while traveling?
• Can you camp during the week?
• Do you prefer predictable full-hookup campgrounds?
• Do you need help planning routes that are safer for your RV?

Your answers will tell you more than a list of advertised discounts ever will.

1. Thousand Trails: Best for Very Frequent Campers

Thousand Trails is one of the two memberships we use most often, and it has saved us a lot of money.

But I want to be blunt: Thousand Trails is not for everyone.

We own the Adventure Membership because we camp very frequently and travel around the country. It gives us longer booking windows, 21-day stays, park-to-park travel, and expanded access through the Trails Collection Plus program.

That works for us because we use it constantly. A camper who takes three or four trips a year may never use enough nights to justify the price.

Thousand Trails currently offers several levels, ranging from regional Camping Passes to Journey, Explore, and Adventure memberships. The Adventure option is the most expensive of the current enhanced plans and is aimed at RVers who want the longest booking window and the most flexibility.

Why We Like Thousand Trails

• It can dramatically lower campground costs if you use it often.
• Some memberships allow 21-night stays and park-to-park travel.
• It helps us slow down instead of moving every few days.
• Many locations have pools, activities, playgrounds, and other amenities.

What We Do Not Like

• The membership choices can be confusing.
• The upfront cost can be substantial.
• Campground quality varies.
• The network is stronger in some regions than others.
• You need to understand reservation windows and membership rules.

Who Should Consider Thousand Trails?

Thousand Trails makes the most sense for full-time, part-time, seasonal, and other very frequent campers who can plan trips around the campground network.

Before joining, look closely at the actual locations you would use and calculate how many nights you would need to break even.

If you are interested in buying a used Thousand Trails membership, we recommend contacting Campground Memberships Outlet at 1-800-272-0401. Tell them RVBlogger sent you. Used memberships can have different benefits and restrictions, so work with someone who understands the contracts.

2. Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome: Best for Travel Days

Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome solve a completely different problem than Thousand Trails.

We mainly use them when traveling from one destination to another. Instead of paying full campground rates when we expect to arrive late and leave early, we stop at a Harvest Hosts business or a Boondockers Welcome property.

Harvest Hosts includes farms, wineries, breweries, museums, attractions, and other businesses. Boondockers Welcome locations are usually private properties hosted by fellow RVers.

The current Harvest Hosts Classic plan is $99 per year. Boondockers Welcome is available separately, or the two can be bundled. Current bundle pricing varies by plan, and Harvest Hosts also offers an All Access option.

Use our Harvest Hosts link and code RVBlogger20 to save 20% on a new membership.

Why We Like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome

• They are excellent for one-night travel stops.
• Many locations are more memorable than a regular campground.
• You can support local farms, wineries, breweries, and attractions.
• Boondockers Welcome hosts may offer longer stays and hookups.
• The network fills gaps between campground reservations.

One of our most memorable Harvest Hosts stays was at Fort Bayou Brewing Company and The Cypress Taphouse in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. We arrived on Trivia Night, met four other RV couples staying there, and ended up having a great time together at the bar.

What You Need to Know

• Harvest Hosts stays are generally designed around a one-night visit.
• You need a self-contained RV.
• Many Harvest Hosts locations do not include hookups.
• Harvest Hosts currently recommends supporting the business by spending at least $30.
• Boondockers Welcome hookup fees may apply when electricity or other utilities are provided.

This membership is best for RVers who travel longer distances and want safe, interesting overnight stops. It is not a replacement for a weeklong campground vacation.

3. Passport America: Best for Flexible Weekday Campers

Passport America is one of the easiest memberships to understand.

The membership costs $49 for one year and offers up to 50% off the regular nightly rate at more than 1,100 participating campgrounds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The catch is that every campground creates its own restrictions. Some discounts are only valid on weekdays. Some exclude holidays or busy seasons. Some limit the number of discounted nights.

That does not make Passport America bad. It just means you must read the campground notes before booking.

Use our Passport America link and enter RVBlogger to receive seven additional months free.

Why We Like Passport America

• The membership is inexpensive.
• One or two discounted stays can cover the annual cost.
• You can search participating campgrounds before joining.
• It works well for retirees and other campers with flexible schedules.

Who Should Skip It?

If you only camp on holiday weekends or need specific high-demand dates, Passport America may be frustrating. Check the participating parks and restrictions in the places you plan to travel before paying for the membership.

4. KOA Rewards: Best for Regular KOA Campers

KOA Rewards costs $39 per year and gives members 10% off the daily registration rate at KOA campgrounds across North America. Members also earn points that can be used toward future stays.

This membership is not complicated. If you already know you will stay at KOAs several times during the year, the discount can easily justify the cost.

We use KOAs because they often fill gaps in our travel plans. They tend to be near highways, national parks, cities, and other popular destinations. They are also fairly predictable, which matters when you need a dependable place to stay.

Why We Like KOA Rewards

• It gives a straightforward 10% nightly discount.
• You earn points toward future stays.
• KOAs are often near major destinations and travel routes.
• Many have full hookups, pools, playgrounds, and family amenities.

The Downside

KOAs are often more expensive than independent campgrounds. A 10% discount helps, but it does not automatically make the final price cheap.

This membership is best for campers who already stay at KOAs. I would not join first and then force myself to choose KOAs just to use the discount.

5. RV Trip Wizard: Best for Planning Every RV Trip

RV Trip Wizard is part of RV LIFE Pro. It is not a campground discount club, but Susan and I use it to plan every trip we take. And it includes all of the Thousand Trails, Harvest Hosts, Passport America and KOA Campground locations, making discount camping a breeze.

The current annual RV LIFE Pro subscription is $65. It includes RV Trip Wizard, RV-safe GPS through the mobile app, campground information and reviews, and other RV LIFE tools.

New members who use our RV Trip Wizard link receive 25% off automatically at checkout.

What I like most is that it lets us plan around our RV instead of pretending we are driving a car. We enter our RV’s height, weight, and length, then use that information to help plan safer routes.

We also use it to find campgrounds along the route, compare reviews, estimate travel time, add fuel stops, and organize the trip before we leave.

Why We Use It So Often

• It keeps the entire trip in one place.
• The route can account for RV size and weight.
• Trips planned on the computer appear in the mobile app.
• It helps us locate Thousand Trails, KOA, Passport America, and other campgrounds along our route.
• Campground reviews help us avoid places that are a poor fit.

There is a learning curve because the program has a lot of features. But once you learn the basics, it saves a tremendous amount of planning time.

Which RV Membership Is Best for You?

Here is the simplest way I can break it down:

• You camp constantly: Consider Thousand Trails.
• You need interesting one-night travel stops: Consider Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome.
• You can camp on flexible weekdays: Consider Passport America.
• You already stay at KOAs: Consider KOA Rewards.
• You plan multi-stop RV trips: Consider RV Trip Wizard.

Some frequent travelers will use two or three of these. We do. But the point is not to collect memberships. The point is to save enough money or time to justify each one.

My Bottom Line

RV memberships can save you a lot of money. They can also waste money if you buy them without thinking through how you camp.

For us, Thousand Trails and RV Trip Wizard provide the most value because we travel frequently and plan complicated trips. Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome are excellent for one-night stops. Passport America works when our schedule is flexible. KOA Rewards makes sense when KOA is already the campground we want.

Do not ask which membership gives the biggest advertised discount. Ask which membership you will actually use.

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Related Reading:

• 10 Reasons to Avoid RV Campgrounds — and When They’re Still Worth It
• RV Campgrounds vs. Boondocking: Pros and Cons
• Why Are RV Park Rates So High?
• 11 Essential Tips for RV Camping in National Parks

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